Diagnosing truncal lymphedema

I don't think that they can diagnose lymphedema with those tests.  I made an appointment with a certified LE therapist, and she is the one that made my diagnosis, she measured, compared, massaged, checked the tissue, skin, etc.... and using all that she diagnosed my truncal LE, which has since moved down my arm to my fingers.  Good luck with everything.

Jill, certainly request another follow-up MRI. If the previous one was a year ago, the insurance may be OK with it.

When I was denied a six month repeat due a birads 3 finding in 2013, I was able to appeal and, because the policy clearly stated that the suggested interval was allowed for more highly suspicious lesions, I won (although there was a delay of 60 days from what the radiologist planned). Things were stable, so no worries.

For our original poster, the scans I have had note the presence of fat necrosis associated with reconstruction but without mention of lymphedema. My truncal swelling feels better when treated which for me involves wearing compression shirts and using my FlexiTouch machine. Not a real scientific diagnostic method!

my LE was diagnosed by my BS based on my mammogram. Believe me, it can be seen. I went for a biopsy a year or so after the diagnosis and remarked to the surgeon doing the biopsy and she said oh yes I can see it! when she pointed it out, it was clear to this rookie! it showed up like a dif colored layer on the screen and was all around my poor boobie!

I had several hours of meetings today for work. Some driving. I opened a door or two that really hurt. I bumped my side getting out of the car and almost dropped to the ground in agony. I'm exhausted and going to bed. I noticed the lymph node by my collar bone is swollen besides all the pain on that side from my shoulders down to my legs. This lymphedema will get better right? 19 days after sentinel node biopsy and it hurts the worst yet. First appointment with the clinic is tomorrow. I hope they can do something.

Maiyre-- A couple of comments on your issue regarding diagnosis of truncal and breast lymphedema. These are typically diagnosed by either ultrasound or MRI measurements of skin thickness. Normal skin thickness is about 1.5-2.0 millimeters. Much more than that is usually an indication of excess interstitial fluid = lymphedema. See Johansson 2014 on my web site at http://www.lymphactivist.org/review-johansson-2014.php. This technique is used in Europe. I believe that Dr. Emily Iker in Los Angeles uses it. Another method of lymphedema diagnosis is measurement of the fluid content of the skin at 2.5 mm depth. This can be done with a device called the MoistureMeter-D made by a Finnish company Delfin. I agree with your initial assessment that the truncal/breast lymphedema could have been related to your axillary breast tissue surgery. That region is rich with lymph nodes and lymph vessels which drain lymphatic fluid from the breast, back, and arm, and removal of as few as one node with the tissue, if it is in the drainage path of the breast or arm, would explain lymphedema. See Baker 2014 on my web site at http://www.lymphactivist.org/review-baker-2014.php. Scar tissue could also block the drainage path, and this might be treatable with low level laser treatments or skillful physical therapy.